Power management for wireless devices

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for wireless device power management is provided. The method comprises providing a charge to an intermediate power cell by electrically connecting the intermediate power cell to a power source, disconnecting the intermediate power cell from the power source, and electrically connecting the wireless device to the intermediate power cell. Such electrical connecting enables power cell recharging within the wireless device.

This application is a continuation application and claims priority toU.S. application Ser. No. 14/039,544 filed on Sep. 27, 2013, which iscontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/250,984 filed on Oct. 13,2005 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,565,839 on Oct. 22, 2013, the entirecontents of each are hereby incorporated by reference in their entiretyfor all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of medical systems,and more specifically to managing power for wireless devices.

Description of the Related Art

Current medical system product offerings typically transmit signals overa fixed wire or cable to connect removable or non-fixed subsystems anddevices. Traditionally, these non-fixed wired subsystems and devicesemploy the same fixed wire connection to receive a constant reliablesource of power. Examples of removable or non-fixed wired devicesinclude monitors or monitoring equipment, test equipment, remote controldevices, footpedals, and so forth.

The rapid advancement and proliferation of short-range radio technologynow affords medical system product designers and manufacturers theability to create and deploy non-fixed subsystems and devices withoutneed for a conventional fixed physical communication cable. For example,non-fixed devices meeting or complying with the Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11g, IrDA (infrared data), andEricsson Bluetooth™ specifications provide short-range radio technologyto enable for wireless communications. These technologies enable thewireless transmission of signals over short distances betweentelephones, computers and other electronic devices. Bluetooth™ enableddevices are capable of an approximate 10-meter transmission range atdata rates up to 720 kilobits/sec and provide better security featuresthan devices implementing IEEE 802.11g communications.

However, the Bluetooth™ and IEEE 802.11g specifications only address thetransmitting and receiving of communication and control signals.Non-fixed wireless medical subsystems and devices are typically withouta fixed continuous reliable power source (i.e. wired alternating ordirect current) and rely on internal batteries for operation whenactive. Due to the critical health support requirements for medicalequipment and the potential catastrophic consequences of a power failurein such equipment, effective deployment of medical systems incorporatingwireless devices require a highly reliable battery power managementscheme to ensure a constant source of power to fielded non-fixedwireless subsystems and devices.

These active wireless medical devices, when used under normal operation,are exposed to numerous electrical safety and reliability issues. Anexample of safety issues include the wireless device and associatedbattery-charging mechanism (e.g. charging cradle or alternating currenttransformer) coming in contact with various caustic and corrosivechemicals and fluids in the operating theater. An example of reliabilityissues includes ensuring a battery health and status indication isavailable at all times to the user, such as a surgeon, thus ensuringconsistent successful non-fixed wireless device operation.

Moreover, wireless medical subsystems and devices that use batteries astheir power source are typically only available for a recharging cycleat the end of the surgery day when the device is not in operational use.At the end of the surgical day, medical systems and non-fixed wirelessdevices are typically moved and stored to the side of the operatingroom, frequently away from a source of electrical power. This poses aparticular challenge for power management schemes, since operating roommedical systems are unplugged from AC line power for storage at the endof the surgery day and power is not available for recharging thewireless subsystems and devices. Thus over a typical 24 hour operatingday, the wireless device is in operation or available to thesurgeon/user for a large part of the day and plugged into a base orrecharger having no source of power. Reliable wireless device powermanagement schemes in this environment must not only provide a reliablesource of power but must also provide a mechanism for monitoring andreporting battery condition for wireless subsystems and devices, when analternating current or direct current source is not available.

Thus it would be advantageous to offer an architecture and design thatprovides wireless battery operated subsystems and devices a reliable andhighly available power management scheme to ensure safe and continuousperipheral product operation in an environment where the wireless deviceand base unit each have no source of power for extended periods of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present design, there is provided amethod for managing power operating a wireless device. The methodcomprises providing a charge to an intermediate power cell byelectrically connecting the intermediate power cell to a power source,disconnecting the intermediate power cell from the power source, andelectrically connecting the wireless device to the intermediate powercell. The electrically connecting enables recharging of power cellswithin the wireless device.

Certain wired operation, wherein the wireless device is connected bywire to a base unit or intermediate power source, is also disclosed.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art from the following detailed description ofthe invention and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the present design components andinterfaces of a wireless medical system with a battery power managementsubsystem;

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating the present design componentsand interfaces of a charging cradle;

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating the present design componentsand interfaces of a wireless device being recharged in a chargingcradle;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the present design components andinterfaces of a wireless device operating in a wired mode;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the present design components andinterfaces of a wireless device operating in a wireless mode;

FIG. 5A shows an isometric view and a side view of a footpedal that maybe employed in accordance with the current design;

FIG. 5B is a conceptual illustration of the footpedal embodiment andassociated base station and power source components; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present design.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present design provides a method and apparatus for managing powerassociated with non-fixed battery operated wireless devices. A powermanagement arrangement or subsystem may provide a mechanism formonitoring and reporting the health and status of a battery used topower wireless devices, particularly in instances where the wirelessdevice or devices operate in a medical theater, including but notlimited to an operating room. The power management subsystem may includea novel in-situ battery recharging arrangement. The present design isdirected to managing power in a wireless, rechargeable device, typicallyemployed in a medical scenario but applicable in other scenarios, wherepower management includes recharging the monitoring health/status of oneor more batteries, reporting health/status of the battery or batteries,indicating current battery condition to a user, and alerting the userwhen necessary to recharge the batteries.

While the present design may be used in various environments andapplications, it will be discussed herein with a particular emphasis ona medical or hospital environment, where a surgeon or health carepractitioner performs, for example, a phacoemulsification technique toeffect a cataract procedure using a medical system that incorporates abattery powered wireless device, such as a switch (such as a footswitchor footpedal), to control the medical system.

The term “wireless device” or non-fixed wireless device” or the like asused herein means a device capable of receiving and/or transmittinginformation wirelessly, i.e. over or through the air, and not the factthat the device may be disconnected from a power source, which may betrue but is not absolutely necessary in all circumstances.

The present design provides an arrangement that enables users of batteryoperated wireless medical devices to monitor battery condition,including but not limited to remaining useful charge duration. Thisarrangement provides monitoring and reporting information services inregard to the wireless medical device battery condition, includingproviding an alert when necessary to recharge the battery to ensurecontinuous, reliable, and safe use.

FIG. 1 illustrates the present design components and interfaces of amedical system 100, where the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG.1 contemplates that the wireless or remote device is a footpedal. Themedical system 100 in this embodiment includes a wireless device 101, awireless controller 102, and an instrument host system 110. The wirelessdevice 101 obtains power for operation from one or more batteries 109. Apower management slave subsystem 107 may observe the health and statusof each battery 109 installed in the wireless device. Observing thehealth and status may include measuring battery reserve to determinecurrent battery condition and reporting the measured result to acommunication slave subsystem 103 within the wireless device 101. Thecommunication slave subsystem 103, embedded within the wireless device101, may access the communication network 120 to transmit the observedhealth and status information received from the power management slavesystem 107. Moreover, the communication slave subsystem 103 may accessthe communication network 120 to transmit footpedal slave subsystem 105data relating, but not limited to, footpedal position and otherfootpedal parameters received from the footpedal slave system 105. Thewireless device 101 may report observed health and status and otherpower management information through a communications network 120 to thewireless controller 102.

The communications network 120 may employ any network communicationsprotocol sufficient for serving the purposes of communications network120. Additionally, the term “communications network” or “communicationssystem” as used herein is used in its most expansive sense and appliesto any communications system through which any information may betransferred to and from a wireless device, and includes, withoutlimitation, transmission by static, active, dynamic communicationsprotocols or otherwise. While the present design may use variouscommunication protocols, such as IrDA, Bluetooth™, 802.11g, or otherprotocol, it will be discussed herein implementing and complying withEricsson's Bluetooth™ protocol specification.

From communication network 120, the wireless controller 102 receiveswireless device 101 transmissions via a communication master subsystem104, typically comprising a transmitter and receiver operating, forexample, using the wireless 802.11(g) or Bluetooth™ protocols. Thecommunications master subsystem 104 receives and forwards information tothe power management master subsystem 106 for further processing,wherein the information may include but is not limited to existingbattery power. Furthermore, the communications master subsystem 104receives and forwards information, including but not limited toinformation such as footpedal position and state parameters, to thefootpedal master subsystem 108 for additional processing.

The present design monitors and reports one or more power managementparameters observed by the power management slave subsystem 107. Powermanagement parameters may include but are not limited to, battery levelsindicating overall current remaining. In addition, footpedal statuschanges, such as footpedal switches remaining inactive for a period oftime, may be observed and reported by the footpedal slave subsystem 105to the power management slave subsystem 107.

The power management scheme may invoke a reduced level ofcommunications, or other power saving mechanisms, during inactiveperiods to reduce battery consumption. Reduced communications mayinclude not transmitting/receiving as frequently as normal, while powerreduction modes may include reducing power during periods when minimaloperation occurs, or turning off the unit until commanded to be on bythe user. Other reduced power management schemes may be employed.Furthermore, the power management slave subsystem 107 may generateeither a visible or audible indication, or any combination thereof, forexample illuminating a light emitting diode (LED) and periodicallysounding an audible tone, to indicate sufficient battery power isavailable. Moreover, the present design may provide an alternateblinking LED or change in frequency or duration of the audible tone, orany combination thereof, to indicate when the battery power falls belowa certain threshold (e.g. less than a certain voltage). In addition, thefootpedal management slave subsystem 107 may provide constantillumination of one or more LEDs, provide blinking illumination of oneor more LEDs, and use one or more colored LEDs to indicate batterycharging modes. Battery charging modes may include, but are not limitedto, a trickle charge mode and a fast charge mode.

The footpedal master subsystem 108 may communicate with an instrumenthost system 110 using a fixed signaling and control cable. Theinstrument host system 110 may be connected to the wireless controller102. The wireless controller may provide footpedal switch position andrate of position change, including but not limited to, pitch and yawquantities to the instrument host system 110.

The present design may operate in three different modes (i.e.configurations). A charging mode, wired operational mode, and wirelessoperational mode may be provided to enable charging of the wirelessdevice, particularly in circumstances where the base unit or wirelesscontroller 102 is not connected to a source of AC power for an extendedperiod of time, such as overnight. The charging mode typically occurs atthe end of the surgical day, when the wireless device 101 is not inoperational use (i.e. out-of-service) and is stored in the chargingcradle. The wired operational mode employs a fixed cable to providesignal and power between the wireless device 101 and the wirelesscontroller 102 when in service. The wireless operational mode employs aninternal battery 109 for power and receives signals across acommunications network 120 enabling the same degree of facility as thein-service wired mode provides.

FIG. 2A illustrates (with further reference to FIG. 1) components of thepresent design and interfaces of a charging cradle 201. The wirelessdevice 101 may be removed from the charging cradle 201 during the dayfor use in surgical procedures. When the wireless device 101 is removedfrom the charging cradle 201 and a fixed AC power source 113 isavailable (e.g. supplied by the host system 110), the charging cradle201 provides DC current to charge an internal secondary power source,such as a battery, capacitor, or other chargeable device. At the end ofthe surgical day, the wireless peripheral, such as a wireless footpedal,can be returned to the charging cradle 201. However, at the end of thesurgical day, the fixed alternating current power source 113 may bedisconnected, as shown in FIG. 2B.

While the present design may use various internal secondary powersources, the embodiment discussed herein comprises use of a bulk storagebattery 215. FIG. 2B illustrates the present design components andinterfaces for a wireless device 101 being recharged in a chargingcradle 201 at the end of the surgical day, where power has been removedfrom the charging cradle 201. The present design operates to rechargeone or more internal batteries 109 of a wireless device 101 using thecharging cradle 201. Moreover, the charging cradle 201 may be used torecharge the batteries 109 within one or more wireless devices 101 bysimply placing the device into the cradle.

During the surgical day, operating room personnel connect the medicalsystem 100 to alternating current line power. The charging cradle 201,built into the host system 110, receives power from the medical system100 and charges an internal bulk storage battery 215.

At the end of each surgical day, the wireless device 101 is cleaned byoperating room personnel and returned to the built-in charging cradle201 for storage. Operating room personnel may then move the medicalsystem 100 to the side of the operating room, out of the way, anddisconnect alternating current line power (i.e. unplug for safestorage).

A primary and secondary magnetic inductive coupling mechanism provides atransfer of charge from the bulk storage battery 215, located within thecharging cradle 201, to the wireless device 101.

The wireless device 101 may provide a mating half of a magneticinductive coupling 205 mechanism that receives power from the bulkstorage battery 215 within the charging cradle 201. The charging cradle201 provides a primary half of a magnetic inductive coupling 210mechanism, that when joined with the wireless device 101 secondaryinductive coupling 205 enables current to flow from the bulk storagebattery 215 to the wireless device 101 secondary inductive coupling 205that in turn supplies this current to the batteries 109 sufficient forrecharging said batteries.

Other transfer mechanisms may be employed to transfer current from thebulk storage battery, such as transformers, transducers, noninductivecircuitry, or other appropriate charge transfer devices. The net resultand desired functionality is the ability to transfer current from thestorage battery 215 to the wireless device 101.

The foregoing design enables the wireless device 101 to be removed fromthe charging cradle 201 during the day and used in normal operation. Inthe embodiment illustrated, the wireless device 101 may be a footpedal,but another removable device may be employed using this chargingarrangement or subsystem, including devices not in communication withthe host system 110. While used, the battery power of the wirelessdevice will likely decrease and may fall below a threshold. At the sametime, namely during the day in an operating environment while thewireless device 101 is being used, bulk storage battery 215 may becharging using, for example, AC current via a conventional wall socket,fixed power source, or other appropriate power source. At the end of theday, the wireless device 101 is replaced in the charging cradle 201, andthe charging cradle 201 may be disconnected from the power source due tothe need to store medical equipment in a particular manner. At thispoint, the bulk storage battery will have full charge and be able tocharge the wireless device 101 without the presence of the power source.

FIG. 3 illustrates the present design components with the interfaces ofa wireless device operating in a wired mode. In the wired mode, a fixedphysical cable 305 connects the wireless device 101 to the wirelesscontroller 102. The fixed cable 305 supplies both communication signals310 and direct current 315 between the wireless controller 102 andwireless device 101. In the wired configuration, the batteries 109 maybe recharged by receiving current from the host instrument 110 during asurgical procedure in concert with the exchange of communication signals310. In the embodiment illustrated, the footpedal master subsystem 108receives these communication signals 310 and provides these signals tothe instrument host system 110. Communication signals may include butare not limited to position of a footpedal, such as pitch and yawpositions, button pushes or “stomp” values, or other appropriate statesin the case of a footpedal. Communication signals in other equipment,such as monitoring devices or test equipment, may include data or statevalues applicable to the device employed.

FIG. 4 illustrates the present design components and interfaces of awireless device 101 operating in a wireless mode. In the wireless mode,a communications network 120 replaces the fixed cable found in the wiredmode to enable exchange of communication signals 310 between thewireless device 101 and the wireless controller 102. In the wirelessmode, the wireless device 101 receives power from internal batteries109. In this configuration, the health and status of one or morebatteries 109 may be monitored and reported by the power managementslave subsystem 107, either to the user or to the instrument host system(not shown in this view). The wireless controller 102 searches for aunique wireless device 101 using, for example, Bluetooth™ short-rangeradio techniques. Searching is complete when the correct wireless device101 is located. At this point, the wireless controller 102 ‘pairs-up’ or‘matches’ with the unique wireless device 101 to enable communication ofpower management and other device information, such as signal andcontrol. The specific techniques and details associated with Bluetooth™searching and pairing mechanism are generally known to those skilled inthe art. Other protocols, including but not limited to IrDA and IEEE802.11g, may search and connect to other devices. For example, IEEE802.11g may employ link control procedures known to those skilled in theart and specified by the standard, while a protocol such as IrDa mayemploy optical locating and searching techniques again known to thoseskilled in the art. The power management master subsystem 106 may promptthe power management slave subsystem 107 to acquire battery 109 healthand status information, such as the charge remaining.

FIG. 5A illustrates an isometric and side view of a footpedal usable inaccordance with the present design. FIG. 5B shows the conceptualconnections between the footpedal 501 and the base unit and powersource. Footpedal 501 includes pedal 502, base 503, and electricalinterface 504 here shown at the side of the base 503. The footpedal 501in this view includes batteries 505, typically rechargeable batteries,connected to the electrical interface. A transmitter 506 and receiver507 are provided in the footpedal 501 in this embodiment, and in thisembodiment a “charge LED” 508 is provided that is constantly on when theremaining battery charge in the wireless device is above a certainthreshold, such as, for example, 10 percent of total potentiallyavailable charge. When the amount of battery charge is below 10 percent,charge LED 508 blinks on and off, warning the user that power is low andthe unit should be recharged.

The footpedal 501 fits into the footpedal charging cradle 511, such asat the end of the day, where the footpedal charging cradle 511 in thisembodiment is formed within the base unit or footpedal host system 512.The electrical interface 504 of footpedal 501 in this embodiment may bematched or joined to the electrical interface 510 of charging cradle511, and once joined, the batteries 505 may be charged. As may beappreciated, the electrical interface 504 may take varying forms,including but not limited to a standard three prong plug input, and thecharging cradle 511 physical interface with footpedal 501 may takedifferent forms, such as a receptacle receiving an insert, or a tab andslot arrangement. The base unit or footpedal host system 512 may includefootpedal bulk storage battery 515. As described, footpedal bulk storagebattery 515 may be charged when the footpedal 501 is operating remotelyand electrically disconnected from the footpedal charging cradle 511.When the footpedal 501 is properly inserted into the footpedal chargingcradle 511 at the end of the day, the footpedal 501 is recharged by thebulk storage battery if the power source 550 is removed. The footpedal501 is recharged by the Power Source 550 if it is connected. Footpedalbulk storage battery 515 may be connected to or disconnected from powersource 550. FIG. 6 shows an alternate version of the present design.From FIG. 6, system power supply 601 provides power to base unit 602. Asnoted, system power supply 601 may be any type of fixed or non fixedpower source, including but not limited to a standard wall socket or apower cell or battery source. Charge controller 603 receives power andmay either supply power to the base charge controller 607 or to thepower cell charger 605. Power cell 606, as shown contained within baseunit 602, may be charged by power cell charger 605. One embodiment ofthe power cell 606, also called an intermediate or secondary power cellor source, is a 12 volt battery.

In “charging” mode, power flows from the system power supply 601 to thecharge controller 603 to power cell charger 605 and ultimately powercell 606. Indication may be provided from the power cell 606 to thecharge controller 603 in the form of an amount already charged orneeding to be charged, such as in a percentage form.

In one embodiment, the power cell 606 may provide an indication that itis 20 percent charged, 80 percent charged, and so forth. Once the powercell charge exceeds a certain threshold, as judged by the chargecontroller 603, the charge controller may cease supplying power to thepower cell charger 605 and power cell 606. Operation may then turn to a“recharging” or a “power supply” mode. Recharging is caused by thecharge controller 603 enabling power to pass from power cell 606 eitherthrough the charge controller 603 as shown or directly to the basecharge controller 607. Charge may then be provided from base chargecontroller 607 of the base unit 602 to wireless medical device 604,thereby recharging the device even in circumstances where the base unit602 is disconnected from power supply 601. While base charge controller607 is illustrated as a component or module separate from chargecontroller 603, the two units may be combined into a single unitdemonstrating the functionality described herein for base chargecontroller 607 and charge controller 603. Further, the functionalitydiscussed with respect to base charge controller 607 and chargecontroller 603 and the various modules of FIG. 6 and the other figurespresented may be combined, employed in different modules, or omittedwhere desired.

If the wireless medical device 604 is operating and connected via wiredconnection, such as a cable, to the base unit 602 while base unit 602 isconnected to power supply 601, charging of power cell 606 is throughpower cell charger 605 and recharging of wireless medical device isthrough system power 601. The result is the ability to operate thewireless device relatively indefinitely by periodically rechargingbatteries or power cells within the wireless device. The connectionbetween wireless medical device 604 and base unit 602 may be a cable orother electrical connection such as a plug and socket.

The foregoing is not determinative or exclusive or inclusive of allcomponents, interfaces, communications, and operational modes employablewithin the present design. The design presented herein and the specificaspects illustrated are meant not to be limiting, but may includealternate components while still incorporating the teachings andbenefits of the invention, namely a wireless device power managementapparatus employing a wireless medical device, wireless controller, acommunications network, and instrument host system to facilitatesurgeons while performing procedures. While the invention has thus beendescribed in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will beunderstood that the invention is capable of further modifications. Thisapplication is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations ofthe invention following, in general, the principles of the invention,and including such departures from the present disclosure as come withinknown and customary practice within the art to which the inventionpertains.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for managing power for a wirelessmedical device, comprising: charging an intermediate power cell byelectrically connecting the intermediate power cell to a power source;disconnecting the intermediate power cell from the power source; andelectrically connecting the wireless medical device to the intermediatepower cell by physically attaching the wireless medical device to acharging carrier, wherein the electrically connecting enables rechargingof a power cell within the wireless medical device; wherein saidcharging the intermediate power cell, disconnecting the intermediatepower cell from the power source, and electrically connecting thewireless medical device to the intermediate power cell to recharge thepower cell within the wireless medical device facilitates a continuoussupply of available power to the wireless medical device, therebyallowing repeated operation of the wireless medical device to control atleast one medical procedure via wireless signal transmissions from thewireless medical device, said wireless medical device comprising afootpedal component.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:monitoring status of at least one device power cell contained in thewireless medical device; reporting status of one or more power cells,said reporting indicating current device power cell condition; andalerting a user when advisable to recharge the device power cells in thewireless medical device.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein reportingcomprises providing at least one of a visible signal and an audiblesignal informing a user of power cell status.
 4. The method of claim 2,wherein reporting comprises providing at least one of a visible signaland an audible signal informing a user that power cells requirerecharging.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless medicaldevice is configured to manage power by reducing wireless signaltransmissions from the wireless medical device during inactive periods.6. The method of claim 1, wherein charging the intermediate power cellcomprises controlling current to flow from the power source through acontroller to the intermediate power cell.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein electrically connecting the wireless medical device to theintermediate power cell enables the power cell to inductively transfercurrent using a charge controller to the wireless medical device.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein power is managed in the wireless medicaldevice by reducing wireless signal transmissions from the wirelessmedical device during inactive periods.
 9. A power management system,comprising: a base unit comprising an intermediate power cell; and awireless medical device comprising at least one power cell; wherein thebase unit and intermediate power cell are connectable to a power source,and at least one power cell of the wireless medical device is configuredto be recharged by the intermediate power cell when the base unit isdisconnected from the power source, thereby facilitating a continuoussupply of available power to the wireless medical device, and therebyallowing repeated operation of the wireless medical device to control amedical procedure via wireless signal transmissions from the wirelessmedical device, said wireless medical device comprising a footpedalcomponent.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the base unit furthercomprises a charging cradle, and the wireless medical device fits withinthe charging cradle to recharge power cells within the wireless medicaldevice.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein said charging cradle furthercomprises a primary inductive coupler and a fixed alternating currentpower source.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the base unit furthercomprises a communications network, and the wireless medical devicefurther comprises a transmitter capable of transmitting informationreceivable by the communications network.
 13. The system of claim 9,wherein said power cells are rechargeable.
 14. The system of claim 9,wherein said communications network employs a wireless communicationsprotocol enabling a plurality of observed power management parameters tobe transmitted between the wireless medical device and the base unit.15. The system of claim 9, wherein the medical device is configured tomanage power by reducing wireless signal transmissions from the wirelessmedical device during inactive periods.
 16. A wireless medical devicepower management system, comprising: a base unit comprising anintermediate power cell; and a wireless medical device comprising atleast one power cell and further comprising a footpedal component;wherein the base unit and intermediate power cell are connectable to apower source, and at least one power cell of the wireless medical deviceis configured to be recharged by the intermediate power cell when thebase unit is disconnected from the power source, thereby facilitating acontinuous supply of available power to the wireless medical device, andthereby allowing repeated operation of the wireless medical device tocontrol wireless signal transmissions from the wireless medical deviceto a controller.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the base unitfurther comprises a charging cradle, and the wireless medical devicefits within the charging cradle to recharge power cells within thewireless medical device.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the baseunit further comprises a communications network, and the wirelessmedical device further comprises a transmitter capable of transmittinginformation receivable by the communications network.
 19. The system ofclaim 16, wherein said power cells are rechargeable.
 20. The system ofclaim 16, wherein said charging cradle further comprises a primaryinductive coupler and a fixed alternating current power source.
 21. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein said communications network employs awireless communications protocol enabling a plurality of observed powermanagement parameters to be transmitted between the wireless medicaldevice and the base unit.
 22. The system of claim 16, wherein thewireless medical device manages power by reducing wireless signaltransmissions from the wireless medical device during inactive periods.